wfn.org | Disciples News Brief

["Wilma Shuffitt" <wshuffitt@cm.disciples.org>]

Date: November 12, 2004
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Phone: 317-713-2492
Contact: Wanda Bryant Wills, Editor
E-mail:  news@cm.disciples.org 
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org 

WORLD AIDS DAY IS DECEMBER 1
World AIDS Day is the international day of action on HIV and AIDS which
takes place every year on December 1.  World AIDS Day reminds us that
HIV is an issue for everyone.  Hundreds of thousands of new cases of HIV
are being diagnosed around the world and the only way we can stop its
spread is by creating a more AIDS aware society in which everyone takes
action.  Global Ministries, a common witness of the Division of Overseas
Ministries, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Wider Church
Ministries, United Church of Christ is committed to HIV/AIDS education
around the world.  A website has been created with several resources
that will empower your congregation to take part in the education of
HIV/AIDS around the world.   Visit the Global Ministries website at
http://www.globalministries.org/ for more information. 

CAREGIVERS NEED SUPPPORT IN AFTERMATH OF FLORIDA HURRICANES 
It has been two months since the last hurricane swept through parts of
Florida, causing death and destruction.  The four back-to-back
hurricanes in the state killed 70 people and damaged 58,000 homes, not
to mention churches and other public buildings.  Clergy, community
leaders, outreach workers and volunteers have been on the front lines,
offering support to others, but now realize that they too are
experiencing the strain of dealing with the disasters.	Church World
Service (CWS) recently offered "Caring for the Caregiver" workshops
in central Florida.  To find out how clergy, including a Disciples
minister in Ft. Myers, are responding after weeks of offering support to
others, read CWS's article at:
http://www.churchworldservice.org/news/archives/2004/10/232.html 

PROJECT IMPACT OFFERS HOPE TO YOUTH IN CRISIS
Project IMPACT, a program that helps reduce youth and domestic
violence, has been affirmed as a ministry related to the Pacific
Southwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Matthew
R. Harris, a Disciples minister, is president of Project IMPACT which
provides job training and placement, school drop-out prevention, and
juvenile diversion counseling, among other things.  Since its inception,
Project IMPACT has helped to launch 15 affiliate centers and five
satellite centers around the country, offering hope to over 40,000
youth. Its mission also includes helping the church develop its capacity
to reach youth and families threatened by violence.

To learn more about Project IMPACT, or to get information on how to
start an IMPACT center in your church, call (310) 631-9763 or visit:
http://www.projectimpactusa.org/  

THE FOURTH MONDAY CHAT
Back by popular demand: Christian Education (Kyle Harris and Janet 
Chapman), November 29 at 11 a.m. (Indiana time). Visit
http://www.discipleshomemissions.org/RESOURCES/chathelp.htm 

Not sure what Indiana time is? Find out at: 
http://www.worldtimezone.com/time-us12.html 

Note: The November chat is being held on the fifth Monday due to the 
Thanksgiving holiday.

NEW BOOK SERIES EXAMINES THEMES IN POPULAR NOVELS
Does popular fiction have anything to teach us about what it means to
live as Christians? Can we gain insights into who we are as children of
God from a novel?

In the Popular Insights series from Chalice Press, novels are more than
entertainment. They are an entry into theological discussions, Bible and
church history, scripture, and new understandings of ourselves and how
we live in community. Written for individual or group discussion, the
series explores biblical truths, popular beliefs, and personal faith,
while delving deep into the spiritual themes in popular novels. 

Available now is "Solving the Da Vinci Code Mystery," by Brandon
Gilvin, which separates fact from fiction in Dan Brown's book "The
Da Vinci Code (Doubleday, 2003).  Other books will soon be available.

To learn more about the Popular Insights series, contact Chalice Press
at 1-800-366-3383 or http://www.chalicepress.com .

####

For more information on the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
visit http://www.disciples.org 

*The Disciples News Brief is distributed weekly or as needed by
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distribution list, please contact news@cm.disciples.org 

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